Not worth the problems!

[digital6]

I race off road eletric, pretty obvious by looking at the cars I own - 2 T3's, TQ10, T2, and now a B3Team. I purchased an E-MAXX the other day just because I wanted a fun monster truck to bash with. Now you should know that I have always been a little paranoid at buying a Traxxas product.

I get the E-MAXX home and per the Traxxas support person, zip tied the motor connectors, glued the tires, and made sure all connections were secure.
Plugged two brand new battery packs in and let loose to break in the motors. half way in to my run I noticed the truck was runnig slower and slower.
Turns out one of the motots was crispy. To make a long story short I took the truck back to my LHS and exchanged for another, this time it was dead out of the box. Third times a charm maybe? Got a third directly from Traxxas, took it up to my LHS and had them use brand new batteries (1500 MAH)and the speed control smoked when everything was hooked up.

Now I've been involved with RC Cars for almost 8 years, I know a thing or two. What gives with the E-MAXX'S? After this last incedent I got my money back and purchased a team B3, guess I'll stick to a company that I can trust to work!

I really was looking forward to a cool monster truck, anyone know if these problems will be fixed?

DiGiTaL6

[BadRacer]

I don't know what went wrong....but i have heard of the same story many times. I try and streer clear of Traxxas after i bought a RTR Rustler with an ESC in it. This was my first ever hobby quality r/c and i read the manual front to back 3 different times to be sure i didn't mess anything up. To make it short the Rustler went bye bye and a bought a used T2...best choice i made for a first truck! http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Now i own a FT B3 and the best ST out there a XXXT! Can't wait to see what AE has instore for the up coming T4.

I stick with Associated and Losi...can't ever go wrong with them.

[PeterV]

I contacted the local Hobbytown to see how E-Maxxes were holding up. They have had some returns due to blown ESCs, and the problem was traced to improperly crimped bullet connectors. Traxxas replaced all of the ESCs that had problems, and there have been no returns since. On the whole, I think this comes up as good news; Traxxas fixed the problem at no cost to the buyer, and the problem has not reoccurred. Admittedly, dealing with returns and waiting on replacement parts isn't as convenient as never having a problem in the first place, but at least Traxxas took care of business.

I would double-check the connectors on a new E-Maxx to be safe, but I'm sure Traxxas is working with their suppliers to make certain the ESCs are bomb-proof from the factory.

For more info, you can check out Traxxas service bulletins at their site: http://www.traxxas.com/support/servicebulletins/trx_service.htm

Just a note for any future posters on this thread: whatever your experience was with a product, good or bad, from Traxxas or any other company (or shop, service, or fellow hobbyist, for that matter!), please keep your comments in respectful and intelligent. "Having trouble with Brand X charger" is respectful and intelligent; "Brand X ***** !" is not!

[PeterV]

By the way, the asterisks replace a term that rhymes with "ducks" and describes what one does to a popsicle!

[krayzie]

I don't know why people say traxxas makes bad products..because all my cars are traxxas and I have never had any problems with any of them including my E-MAXX.I don't think people should say don't by traxxas just because they have had a bad experience with them.. Just my opinion.

[RCJunkie]

Sounds like you had some extremely bad luck, but you can't write off a company with problems with one certain product. The E-Maxx is a first run and there are bugs in every first run of anything produced. At least they are trying to correct the problem. I have had an assortment of traxxas products through the years and have never had a problem.

[Oyster]

RCJunkie,

I disagree. Actually He *CAN* write off that company if he chooses. http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/smile.gif Isn't America great?

[timesheet]

Just to put my two cents in, I'm at 53 runs and counting with my EMAXX with no problems, except broken body posts which were a result of my poor driving. (I SWEAR that curb moved....) However, I do understand how utterly aggravating a bad experience like yours can be. http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/cool.gif

[LatexMantus]

I think writing off a company is a bad idea, but it is a persons right. I had a Blackfoot and I loved the truck. But it seemed every time I went out with it I was breaking something. A friend had a Monster Beatle and he would beat it to all heck and never broke anything. Nearly identical vehicles, just different experiences. I still think of Tamiya products as cheap, but that is from my experiences. What we are is a result of our experiences.

[digital6]

Actually I am not wiriting off Traxxas, I was just hoping they or any of you knew if they were fixing or re-designing the electrics inside the E-MAXX. I really want one bad and am already planning on ordering one from Traxxas direct in early April.

I too am sure this may have been a string of bad luck, it happens!
I race every week and think that monster trucks will be seen more and more over the next few years, possibly even a new class of racing at your local tracks, who knows?!?

Keep your fingers crossed for me, April I try it again with an E-MAXX....

Thanks for your support... Keep racing!

DiGiTaL6

[PeterV]

Yes! Everyone posting on this thread is "right", even if one person's experience contradicts that of another. All too often, this type of thread gets personal, and the thread degenerates into a flame-fest that helps no one. I'm glad we're drawing a more intelligent crowd!

[backyardT3]

my track already has a class and has had a class for a while. Actually both of my tracks do. the emaxx's stock, always beat the tmaxx's all hopped up. What the heck. But then again the tmaxx dont have to fear none of the emaxx's work anywayz. HA HA

havent had traxxas...only associated for me..

Garrett

[BadRacer]

I wasn't putting down any company due to some bad run in's i had. Matter of fact my little bro has a Rustler (the one that went bye bye)i gave it to him. I guess thats what happens when you make a long story short! http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/biggrin.gif LOL Traxxas is a really good company and every company is going to have something go wrong which you can't avoid. At least they are doing something about it. I just like AE and Losi over Traxxas and i see nothing wrong, you like what you like..am i wrong?? Its just my opinion, but like i said before i am not bad mouthing the company.